E-Insight

December 2004

Update from the Dean’s Office

Dear Friends,

Our hectic calendars here on campus are filling up as faculty and students busily prepare for finals, fall commencement, and the holiday recess. Everyone is bracing for the final push, but still taking time to have some fun in the snow, even building a snowman or two, courtesy of Mother Nature and our Thanksgiving snowstorm.

In November, I had the opportunity to speak to the Colorado Livestock Association and also met with the Colorado Cattleman’s Association. I spoke with association members about our Food Animal Veterinary Career Incentive Program to bring more students into large animal medicine and my remarks were met with interest and enthusiasm. I am asking both associations to help “fill the pipeline” with prospective students, and work within their communities to provide scholarship support so students can complete veterinary school and afford to work in rural communities without the heavy debt load many students carry post-graduation.

We continue to work on the University Strategic Planning process and I’m pleased that many University and College departments have devoted departmental meeting time to discuss the important issues that the Strategic Plan is bringing to the forefront. This is the time to address any concerns and share innovative ideas so that the Strategic Plan is representative of our University culture and the ideals to which we wish to hold true. To that end, on Nov. 19, the Executive Council, University Distinguished Professors, and directors of the University’s Programs of Research and Scholarly Excellence sat down with President Penley to provide input from our College on the University Strategic Plan. I encourage faculty and staff to examine the document and provide input to maximize the quality and impact of the Strategic Plan throughout the University community. A complete copy of the Strategic Plan is available at http://www.president.colostate.edu/strategicplanning/

In a few weeks, we will be saying good-bye to some of our students who are graduating after fall semester. I’d like to congratulate all our graduates and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. The College’s Commencement Exercises are as follows:

• Graduate Students – Friday, Dec. 17, 3 p.m., in Moby Gym
• Undergraduate Students in Microbiology and Environmental Health – Saturday, Dec. 18, 12:30 p.m., in the Lory Student Center Ballroom.

I hope everyone has a very joyous and relaxing holiday season. Please travel safely whatever your destination, and I look forward to seeing each of you back here in 2005.

Best Regards,

Lance Perryman, DVM, PhD
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences